Ans: A

Exp:

• The severe cyclonic Dana was expected to make landfall close to Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra port in Odisha.

• Statement 1 is correct: Dhamra river is a joint stream formed by the confluence of Brahmani and Baitarani rivers.

• It empties into the Bay of Bengal.

• Statement 2 is not correct: Dhamra Port is located to the north of its mouth.

• Statement 3 is not correct:Wheeler Island, a DRDO missile launch centre is located off the mouth of the Dhamra in the Bay of Bengal.

• The Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary, famous for its estuarine crocodiles, lies on the Dhamra estuary.

Ans: C

Exp:

• The United Nations faces criticism for its passive role in global conflicts, failing to utilise its peacekeeping forces effectively. 
• Through its peacekeeping forces, often referred to as “Blue Helmets,” the UN aims to resolve disputes, protect civilians, and restore peace.
• Statement 1 is correct: The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in May 1948, to form the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
• Statement 2 is correct: UN peacekeeping operations are deployed with the consent of the main parties to the conflict. This requires a commitment by the parties to a political process. 
  • Their acceptance of a peacekeeping operation provides the UN with the necessary freedom of action, both political and physical, to carry out its mandated tasks.
• In the absence of such consent, a peacekeeping operation risks becoming a party to the conflict; and being drawn towards enforcement action, and away from its fundamental role of keeping the peace.

Ans: B

Exp:

• The birth of a great Indian bustard through artificial insemination at the Sudasari Great Indian Bustard Breeding Centre in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district is an “extremely important step” in the conservation of the critically endangered species, authorities said.
• Great Indian Bustard is the state bird of Rajasthan.
• Statement 1 is correct:Great Indian Bustard, is often considered as indicators of the health of the grassland ecosystem. 
• Statement 2 is correct: It is listed in Appendix I of Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
• Statement 3 is not correct: It is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Due to their poor frontal vision, the birds can’t spot overhead power lines from a distance, and are too heavy to change course when close. Thus, they collide with the cables and die.

Ans: D

Exp:

• Research has shown that toxins from bacteria called microcystin can make animals and people sick when they come into contact with infected water of Lake Erie.
• The Great Lakes are a dominant physical feature of North America and form part of the political boundary between the United States and Canada

•  The correct sequence of Great Lakes  from west to east is:

• • Superior-Michigan-Huron-Erie- Ontario

• Lake Erie is the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes of North America.

• It forms the boundary between Canada and the United States.
• The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was established in 2009 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. 

Ans: C

Exp:

• The government announced to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel with a two-year-long nationwide celebration beginning this year. 
• After India achieved independence, he became the first Home Minister and also the Deputy Prime Minister.
• In 1917, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was elected as the Secretary of the Gujarat Sabha, the Gujarat wing of the Indian National Congress.
• Statement 3 is correct: In 1918, he led a massive “No Tax Campaign” that urged the farmers not to pay taxes after the British insisted on tax after the floods in Kaira.

• His effort to bring together the farmers of his area brought him the title of ‘Sardar’

• Statement 2 is correct: He is remembered as the ‘Patron Saint of India’s Civil Servants’ due to his contribution to the modern all-India services system.
• Statement 1 is correct: The Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal and Excluded Areas was chaired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

He was freed in 1931, following an agreement signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India. The treaty was popularly known as the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.